Publication:

Comparative study of hearing level pre and post ossiculoplasty in Aseer Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Background Achieving successful hearing outcomes following ossiculoplasty in patients with middle ear diseases depend on several factors. Unfortunately, the literature is confusing concerning the middle ear factors and types of pathologic process that are most important in predicting hearing outcome. The objective of the study was to investigate the improvement or deterioration of hearing after ossiculoplasty and identify the possible prognostic factors.

Methods Between January, 2012 and December, 2014, 30 ossiculoplasties were performed and followed up by the first author with the help of other authors in Otolaryngology department, Aseer Ceneral hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The patients were followed up at 6 months, 9 months after the operation and then on a yearly basis. Postoperative hearing outcomes were considered successful if the postoperative air-bone gap was within 20 dB while it was considered not successful if it exceeds 20 dB.

Results The study included 30patients. Their age ranged between 18 and 61 years with a mean of 37.4±10.7 years. Sixty percent of them (n=18) were females and forty percent (n=12) were males. Pre-operative PTA was 37.83±8.97 dB and it decreased to 23.0±12.57 dB postoperatively. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001) with an average change in ABG of 150 dB across the 30 patients. The successful rate was 50%. the only factor proved to be significantly associated with successful ossiculoplasty was the male gender as 75% of makes compared to 33.3% of females patients reported postoperative air-bone gap within 20 dB, p=0.030.

Conclusions Successful rate of ossiculoplasty in Asser central hospital is within the globally reported rates. However, further larger prospective study is recommended for better understanding of predictive factors for hearing improvement after ossiculoplasty that may contribute to the surgeon’s judgment and the information given to patients.